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The true text of this scroll is hidden from the eyes.  To unlock its mysteries, you must obtain the eight keys that reveal its meaning. Each key will be yours after you complete a challenge.

Start here.

Click on the parchment to get the grid you must solve at the end of the quest. 

 

Details

Rules of The Road:

 

  • Be smart: use your common sense when visiting off-campus sites. The best way is to have a companion. The best time is mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

 

  • Be alert: be aware of your surroundings. Don't venture alone into places that make you feel uncomfortable. Should you come across establishments serving alcohol, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT EXPECTED to enter.

 

  • Be courteous: respect the places you visit. Polite behaviour is knightly indeed. Make sure it is OK to take photos. It is unlikely that you encounter problems snapping pictures, but in case it happens, contact the organizers for alternatives.

 

  • Be noble: treat your co-competitors as friends. Help whenever you can with understanding the challenges. This will not diminish your chance to succeed. Who knows, you may meet kindred spirits down the road.

 

The QUIXOTE Quest

 

We invite you to join a quest. Guided by the pages of a classic novel, you will discover your own city, and get to know the Spanish professors at MDL. Become knights errant: meet challenges, get inspired by idea(l)s, be brave and creative, find new fascinations!

 

THE MISSION: Decode a hidden text by using a simple number-to-letter correlation cipher. To do so, you will need 8 keys. To obtain the keys, you will have to complete 8 challenges.

 

THE CHALLENGES: A challenge per week will be announced on a Monday, starting February 23rd. You can join at the beginning date or any time before the end date, as long as you have enough  time to obtain all the keys by April 23rd. You will have to show evidence that you have completed the challenge. To do so, you will take a photo of yourself, usually in front of a landmark or with a specific image/object. You will upload this photo, along with a 1-2 sentence comment in Spanish or English, to a specially created Facebook group.

 

THE KEYS: Each completed challenge is rewarded with a specific key. Each key has a keeper - a professor at MDL. Once you complete the challenge, contact the professor. Meeting in person is a plus: you will be handed the key, and may ask for guidance. If you are unable to visit, contact the key-keeper via e-mail with a link to your uploaded image and commentary. A sealed envelope with your name will be left for you to pick up at the Department of Modern Languages, 360 Plaza.

 

THE PRIZE: On April 23, at 9:00 am, a final cipher containing the name of the author and the title of the coded text will be published on this site. The one who first uploads the full text with author and title to the Fecebook page will become the winner of the grand prize. The next 10 will receive rewards as well.

 

TO PARTICIPATE: You can participate as an individual or as a group. Knowledge of Spanish is required. The challenges and keys are written in the language of Cervantes. Intermediate and advanced speakers will read those with ease. If you are a beginner student or have only marginal knowledge of Spanish, your best option is to pair with someone who is fluent enough to understand texts of medium difficulty.

 

ORIENTATION: All challenges with their associated key-keepers will have their own page - see the drop-down list under the QUEST button on the main menu, as well as the bottom of each screen on this website. A one-page layout of the guidelines of the quest is available by clicking on "Details". A reader-friendly version of these same instructions is available HERE. Please, consult the Rules Of The Road before embarking on any adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy travels and discoveries!

May the quest bring you glory!

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